A Wall Street Journal bestseller.
A dead conspiracy theorist. A mass murderer. Two cases collide for Callahan and McLane in a pulse-pounding thriller by Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author Kendra Elliot.
A man is savagely murdered outside Portland, and Detective Mason Callahan finds blood-spatter evidence that tells a troubling story. Files reveal the murder victim, Reuben … story. Files reveal the murder victim, Reuben Braswell, was a radical conspiracist. In his home, investigators find pages of diatribes against law enforcement as well as ties to Mason’s fiancée, FBI special agent Ava McLane. The victim was her informant—and had strong reasons to be paranoid.
To Ava, Braswell’s rants were those of a wearying and harmless man…until they collide with her investigation into the murders of police officers and finding the connection becomes urgent. Meanwhile, Braswell’s brother and Ava’s twin sister both disappear, and disturbing acts of sabotage target Ava’s personal life.
For Mason and Ava, the brutal crimes and escalating mysteries create a perfect storm for a terrorist conspiracy that becomes dangerously personal—one that has yet to claim its last victim.
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Portland Oregon Detective Mason Callahan and his soon-to-be-wife FBI agent Ava McLane team up again to solve two cases that are intertwined. Brother killing brother, bomb threats, Ava’s missing twin sister and a sabotaged wedding keep the action rolling until the last page. Enjoy! Cheers Lynda L. Lock (Isla Mujeres Mysteries)
The death scene is horrific, blood spatter everywhere and the body tortured. Truly an act of rage, but why and by who? Thus, begins one of the most puzzling cases for Detective Mason Callahan, his fiancée Special Agent Ava McLane and their teams. A set up to murder police officers, Ava’s missing identical twin, another murder, a hunt for a killer or killers and an upcoming wedding. Ms. Elliot seamless weaves these events through this complex and fascination mystery. Surprises and twists blend through the lives of the characters as they follow the evidence to solve the various crimes. I was unable to put this one down, I had to know what was next. Great characters and a thrilling story. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
In the book “The Silence,” author Kendra Elliot puts you in the seat of a roller coaster with lots of twists and turns. You will be shocked and bewildered as detectives try to figure out a brutal murder case involving a conspiracist; who is anti-law enforcement. You will enjoy the sweet relationship between the pages as main character’s, Mason and Ava, plan their wedding.
When Detective Mason and FBI agent Ava’s separate cases clash together, the investigation goes to high alert. It is a race against time before someone else is injured or murdered.
I was immersed into this fast-paced story! Even though this was my first novel by Kendra Elliot, it won’t be my last as she has many stories to share. She has a way with words that draw you in; holding your attention long into the night. This was book #2 of her “Columbia River Series” but it read well as a stand-alone. If you enjoy suspenseful police stories, this book is for you.
~This novel was given to me by the author through a giveaway in exchange for a fair and honest review.~
My first book by Kendra Elliott but I thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a major twist I definitely did not see coming.
The Silence by Kendra Elliot brings mystery and suspense to a police procedural and romantic suspense novel set in Oregon. This is the second book in the Columbia River series but brings in characters from other series as well as some characters from book one in this series.
Oregon State Police Detectives Mason Callahan and Ray Lusco are called to the scene of a brutally murdered man near Portland. Files found in his office show Reuben Braswell was a conspiracy theorist and did not like law enforcement. The papers also include names, including Mason’s fiancée, FBI Special Agent Ava McLane. When Ava’s newest case connects to Mason’s, the story is off and running.
Mason and Ava make great protagonists. Both are strong and skilled at their jobs, but each has weaknesses that keep them feeling realistic. Ava’s relationship with her identical twin is a source of constant upheaval for her and that is woven into the story line as well. Mason is several years older and went through a painful divorce that gives him depth. I also liked that there was continuity with the first book in the series with FBI Special Agent Zander Wells playing a great secondary role in this one. The chemistry between the characters adds to the enjoyment of the novel.
Overlapping cases make the plot suspenseful and very complex as well as a fast and entertaining read. However, it is somewhat over-the-top in its believability. Romance takes a back seat to the police investigations, blending well without detracting from the story line. There are no steamy scenes in this book, but there is plenty of violence and some graphic description, as well as twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. As always, this author did a great job of making this reader feel like they were on the Oregon coast. Additionally, there are moments of levity that give the reader a breather.
Overall, this was a compelling crime thriller that tackled some very serious themes including murder, family relationships and melodrama, domestic violence, conspiracy theorists, hatred, anger, and much more. The suspense was top-notch. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but the reading experience will be enhanced by reading the first book in this series and the Callahan and McLane series. This is the second book I have read by Kendra Elliott, but I am happy to say that I own four others and can’t wait to read them. If you enjoy crime novels and police procedurals with a small amount of romance, then I recommend that you check out this series.
I purchased a digital copy of this novel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was August 25, 2020. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Despite jumping into this series arguably in the wrong place, I have loved both books I have read so far. While I can tell I’ve missed some backstory of character relationships, etc., everyone was still fleshed-out well and I didn’t feel lost or frustrated. The story was engaging and mystery perfectly twisty. I’ll definitely go back and try reading the books in order now.
THIS REVIEW IS FOR BOTH THE AUDIOBOOK AND EBOOK VERSIONS
Such a thrilling and interesting story. Really keeps you on the edge of your seat. Great plot and the characters were amazing. The narration was perfect. I was drawn in instantly. I recommend this book.
This book has more twists and turns, highs and lows than a rollercoaster, keeping the reader on the edge of her seat until the very end. Detective Mason Callahan and his fiancée, FBI special agent Ava McLane are looking forward to their soon to be wedding. But a violent, gruesome murder lures agents and men in blue to a bomb threat, which was just a terrorist trap for a mass shooting. If that is not enough, the murder victim was one of Ava’s informers and her troublesome, identical twin sister, Jayne, resurfaces, to disappear again. Great characters and masterful writing make this book very hard to put down.
I read an ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
There is something about Kendra Elliot’s writing style that I really enjoy – this book was no different! She has interesting plots that get my attention right from the start, her main characters are enjoyable, and previous main characters from prior books sometimes make an appearance (hello Mercy Kilpatrick!) I was delightfully surprised that this book focused on Mason and Ava as the first book in this series focused on Zander (Ava’s partner) and Emily. I’m really glad that Ms. Elliot decided to circle back to Mason and Ava as they had some unfinished business (their wedding, Ava’s twin sister, Ava’s newly discovered family). I loved how this book had multiple things going on (murder victim, mass shooting targeting cops, and more but I don’t want to give anything away!), but it was all organized and easy to follow. Her books keep me engaged throughout and I’m always sad when they end.
Thank you to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.
A well-paced thriller, The Silence, is book 2 in the Columbia River series. I was on the edge of my seat consumed by this well written suspense not able to put it down until it was over. A must read for lovers of this genre and an author I will be recommending and reading a lot more of.
I have read both of the Columbia River books, and they are quite good. I’m looking for the previous books in which these characters figured, since I’ve enjoyed getting to know them.
The Silence is the second book in the Columbia River Series by Kendra Elliot. This book is Mason Callahan and Ava McLane’s story. I was glad to read more about their relationship and their lives. I really enjoy them as a couple. I like the connection that Mason and Ava have with their partners at their work. Jayne is back again, and to be honest, I wish she wasn’t. Ava carries too much on her shoulders where Jayne is concern.
The book has action, drama, and a strong plot which I liked. I thought the characters were well-developed. Overall, a very good book. I am looking forward to the next installment of the series.
Although this is Book 2 in the Columbia River series, it’s a Callahan and McLane novel, and if you haven’t read those books, you’re going to be left wondering about a lot of the background to these characters. The protagonist of pretty much every other book the author has ever written gets a cameo appearance here as Mason Callahan and Ava McLane prepare for their wedding while dealing with murders, domestic terrorism, missing family members and more.
I’m not actually sure where the title of this book comes from… it didn’t seem to have any relevance to the story – and I’m really not a fan of these crossover stories where characters from every other book make an appearance. This would be a fascinating story WITHOUT all those other appearances, because Elliot really does know how to write an intriguing procedural suspense thriller. If you’re a devotee of her work, you might well enjoy all the little Easter eggs, but I found them annoying and a bit exclusionary… like telling ‘in’ jokes newcomers won’t get. It’s one thing to need to have read the first in a series to comprehend everything that’s going on, quite another to have to read an author’s entire backlist. For that reason, though the storyline here is really good, I’m knocking this down to four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
The second book in the Columbia River Series, and with each book I read by this author I fall in love with her books more and more. This book was full of so many things, murder, pain, betrayal, wild goose chases, lots of different twists and turns. Although this is part of a series, I feel that it is so well written that you could read it also as a stand alone. I would most definitely recommend this book to others.
I received a ARC from NetGalley and Montlake Romance and am under no obligation to leave a favorable review, all opinions expressed here are my own.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of “The Silence” by Kendra Elliot that I read and reviewed.
I didn’t get a chance to tackle book 1 in the series but this was such a solid read. You do miss a bit of backstory without book 1 but not enough to make “The Silence” any less of a worthy read.
From start to finish, “The Silence” sucked me in. I was kept my attention. The only down part for me is that I didn’t really connect with the characters. Could that be because I didn’t read the first book in the series? I don’t know but I may take the time and read book 1 because I am very interested in reading the next novels to come in this series.
This book was amazing!
Murder, mayhem, intrigue, romance.. I laughed, shed a few tears, and was on the edge of my seat through the whole book. Wow..what a ride haha.
Ava and Mason have been through so much together, and Jayne is usually a big ole thorn in Ava’s side.
There were characters pulled in to assist in helping out, and that was an extra pleasant surprize.
Twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout the book, Classic Kendra Elliot writing.. loved it.
I would definitely read this series again, after reading the first two books.
Loved it! I am always amazed at the twists and turns Kendra Elliott’s books take. I always think I know who did it and what is going to happen and then BAM another twist! It is fantastic! I think the interplay between Ava and Mason’s cases are masterfully woven together and leave you unable to put the book down. I also love how characters from her other series make appearances in this book. I cannot wait for the next!
I really enjoyed this book. You don’t need to read the first book in the Columbia River series to read this one. To tell you the truth I don’t remember much from that book and I still completely enjoyed this book. If you like a good thriller/suspense you will like this book. All I have to say is poor Ava. Nothing is going right for her in this book. I did like the twists and turns in this book.
There was so much going on in this book it was hard to put it down. It’s loaded with excitement, suspense, action, danger, and romance. The characters are great and the storyline engaging as we get to follow Ava and Mason through their current cases, puzzling connections, family drama, a wedding not to miss, and many twists and turns along the way to keep you on the edge of your seat. A great read from start to finish!
*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Oh my god! Ava and Mason are in for the fight of their lives when a murderd man is found with a terrorist plot in his office. No spoilers intended in any way, but you guys are going to love this one! There are so many things going on and the puzzle pieces don’t seem to match. We get to see all the old characters make appearances and Ava and Mason’s wedding is shaping up to be an do not want to miss affair. If they can all make it there alive! I can’t believe how much was packed into this story and the action is non stop! Seriously, when do your characters get to take a break?? No one is going to want to miss this edge of your seat, thrilling, bodies are dropping like flies book! Seriously, don’t skip it!